Casket-lowering device



w. MAECHLERQ CASKET LOWERING -DEVlCE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 30, 1920.

1,402,781. "P ted JanlO, 1922.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

' INVENT lid/a AT ORNEY W. MAECHLER.

CASKET LOWERING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 30. 1920.

Patented Jan. 10

0) 4 Mr r W77.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Inn/en tar W. MAECHLER.

CASKET LOWERING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED APR-30.1920.

Patentd Jan.10,1922.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

/ III/III,

I III II [71w tar W. MAECHLER.

CASKET LOWERING DEVICE.

APmcATwN FILED APR.30, 1920.

1,402,781. I Patented Jan. 10,1922. I 6 $HEET$-SHEET 4.

N 1 & O Q m v W. MAECHLER. CASKET LOWERING DEVICE. APPLICATION FILEDAPR.30. 1920.

Patented "Jan. 10, 19 2.2.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

gig

5. w ll W. MAECHLER.

- CASKET LOWERING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 30, I920- Patented Jan; 10, 1922.

v e SHEHS-SHEEI 6 'with suitable controlling UMTED STATES,

PATENT OFFICE. I

OFCHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A C

p r I COMPANY, ORPOBATIONOF ILLINOIS.

CASKET-LOWERING DEVICE.

To all whom 2'2. may concern.-

Be it known that I, lVaL'rnR Mancunian,

a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county ofCookand State of Illinois, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements-in Casket-Lowering De vices, of whichthefollowing is aspecifics The present invention has'to do with improvements in casketlowering devices.

These casket lowering devices are used for controlling the operations oflowering the. caskets into the opened graves. Certain features oftheinvention have to do with the construction of [casket-lowering devicesin" which a framework is set ontothe surface of the ground around thegrave opening, the said framework being provided devices whereby therapidity of descent of the casket may be controlled. Certain of thefeaturesfof the invention concern themselves particularly with theconstruction of the controlling device whereby the descent of the casketLS regulated. In this connection one of the objects is to provide anarrangement such that the rapidity of the descent may be madepractically the same regardless of'the weight of the casket. Anotherobject in this connection is to provide a very-strong and .rigidconstruction of controlling devices so that the danger of breakage inservice will be reduced toa minimum.

Another object of the invention is to so construct the controllingdevices that a very easy and regular operation of the same will beensured so as to make the descent of the casket as easy and regular aspossible.

Anothenfeature of-the invention 'con' cerns itself particularly with theconstruction' and arrangement of the parts such as to very effectuallyprevent the entrance of sand or other foreignmatter into the workingparts and bearings, and the desirability of such an arrangement will bemore line 1-I of F 1g.5, looking in the direction readily understoodwhen it is remembered that these devicesare placedon the surface of thesoil and must be used in all kinds of weather and under many differentconditions of the elements. 1 In connection with the foregoing anotherfeature of the invention concerns itself with the protection of theframework of the ma-' chine from the entrance of dirt and dust and otherforeign matter. In this connec- Specification of Letters Patent. iPatent fJ 10 19 "Application med Ap ri1 30,

19:29. Serial No. 377,918.

tionit may be stated" that it is commonf practice to so design. andconstruct the framework as to makejit possible to lengthen or shortenthe side bars accordingto the size of the grave opening and alsoaccordng to the location of'convenient and satisfactory points ofsupport for the frame. One of'the objects of the invention in thisconnection is to protect the joints of the framework itself against theentrance of dust and dirt and other. foreign matter;

and generally in this connection to protect all of the working parts ofthe machine in this way. r

Other objects and uses of the invention will appear'from a detaileddescription of the features of of parts herc the same which consists inconstruction and combinations inafter described and claimed.

In the drawings:

igure 1 shows a plan view of a casket lowering device embodying thefeatures of thepresent iinventionas the same might be usedfthe casketbeing shown in place on the cross'straps;-

Fig. 2 shows a side elevation corresponding to Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 shows a longitudinal section through one of the side railsshowing how the same maybe lengthened or'shortened;

Fig. 4 shows an enlarged detail view of oneof the locking devices bymeans of which the siderail sections may be joined together Big. 5'shows a longitudinal section through one of the end ralls' showing the'i'nannerin which provisionmay'be made for ad usting its length, andalso theinanner n which the rail may be protected against the entranceof dust, dirt, and other foreign matter; I

Fig. 6 is a cross section taken on line 6-6 of 5, looking in thedirection of the arrows; 7 I I s Fig. 7 shows a cross section taken onthe of thearr'ows; V s I Fig. 8 shows a plan view of the controllinghead, the cover plate or cap being removed sons to show the interiorconstruction;

Fig. 9 shows a horizontal section through the controlling head, beingtaken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 10,.looking in the direction of thearrows;

Fig. 10 shows a vertical cross section pared to Fig. 12;

in section and on considerably enlarged scale of the top bearing andassociated parts of the centrifugal governor;

Fig. '13 shows a top face view of the locking disk and flanges onreduced scale ascom- Fig. 14 shows a detail section through the stepbearing at the lower end of the worm shaft; and

dust guards for theshafts.

Referring first to Figs. 1 to 7 lnclusive, I

will first describe the general arrangement of the casket loweringdevice and will after- 'wards describe more in detail the constructionof the control head by reference to the detailed figures illustrated inthe same. The general arrangement of casket lowering device illustratedin the drawings includes four corner sections numbered 15, 16, 17, and18,

respectively; and intermediate side and end sections numbered 19, 20,21,and 22, respectively. Between the side sections 19 and 20 there arestretched the straps or tapes 23 and 24 upon which rests the casket 25;and during the lowering operation the side sections 19 and 20 turn inreverse directions, as shown by the arrows in Fig. '1, so as tosimultaneously lower both ends of each strap or tape.

One of the corner sections designated as 15 is a control section andcontains the mechanism whereby the descent of the casket is controlledby controlling the rotation of the side sections 19 and 20. In thisconnection it is customary to extend suitable connecting devices throughthe end sections 22 and provide suitable gearing in the corner section18, so that the side sections 19 and 20 will operate as a unit.

The length of the frame as a whole may be adjust-ed by adjusting theside sections 19 and 20 which, for this purpose, is of telescopicconstruction, and the width of the frame as a whole may be adjusted byad justing the length of the end sections 21 and 22 which, for this.purpose, may also be of telescopic construction. In order to facilitatepacking theent-ire frame within a relatively small space or compass, theside sections 19 and20 may be disconnected'in their middle portions,which middle portions,

however, are normally joined or coupled together by the locking devices26 and 27. The general type of casket lowering device so far describedis well known and understood in the art.

Referring now to Figs. 3 and 4, each of the side sections includes theend tubes 28 and 29 Fig. 15 shows a detail view of one of the orcoupling between the tubes 30 and 31 may be ensured. Reinforcing collarsor hands 33 and 34 may be placed on the ends of the tubular sections 30and 31. 7

The section 31 is provided on its interior with a spring latch 35, theend 36 of which is secured to the section 31, the end portion of saidspring latch overlapping the end of the section 30. On the end of thespring latch is a locking button 37 which, when proj ected, is adaptedto enter the opening or recess 38 in the end of the opposite section soas to lock the two sections together. A bow spring 39 may be providedfor assisting in of the locking spring is secured, there is provided abutton 40, the inner end of which engages the locking spring 35 and theouter end of which projects into a groove 41 in the operating sleeve42.. This groove 41 is eccentrically cut so that by turning theoperating sleeve 42, the button 40 will be forced inwards so as to bendthe same .in

the position shown in Fig. 4 in order to un lock the parts. Of course, acontrary movement of the ring 42 will permit the parts to be lockedtogether. For convenience the outer surface of the ring 42 may be milledor roughened, as shown in Fig. 1.

In the end portionsof the telescoping tubes 30 and 31 are the partitions43 and 44 which are provided with angular, generally square, holes. Theangular rods 45 through these partitions, said rods having enlargedheads 47 and 48. V r

In the outer ends of the tubular sections 28 and 29 are the partitions49 and 50, through which extend the. rods 45 and 46 respectively, andspring pressedrbuttons 51 serve to normally hold the tubes 28 and 29 ina definite position with respect to their rods 45 and 46. The-inner endsof these rods and 46. extend are hinged or pivotally connected to shafts52 by pivotal connections 53 as shown in detail in the left-hand side ofFig. 3. The arrangement is such that upon disconnecting the outertubular sections 31 and 32 from each other, said sections may betelescoped into the tubular sections 28 and 29, and the sections 28 and29 may in turn be pulled out a slight distance along the rods 45 and 46,(the spring pressed pins 51 being first dis engaged by a slight extrapressure or pull) and then the telescope sections may be folded on theirhinges 53 so as to make them lay parallel to the end sections 21 and 22.

' heads.

other corner section.

It will be observed that the construction of the side sections 19 and 20is such that sand and other access to their interior portions.

Figs. 5, 6 and 7 show in detail the construction of the end tubularsections 21 and 22. Each of these includes an inner tube 54; secured toone of the corner sections and an outer telescoping tube secured to. the

disengaged more than a specified distance,

a tongue 58 may be struck outwardly from the tubular section 56, so asto provide a.

shoulder 59, and a spring pressed button 60 in the end of the rodsection 57 will engage said shoulder amount of extension has beenreached.

Along one face of the innertubular section 54, there is formed a seriesof per forations 61 which may be brought successively into alignmentwith a but-ton 62 on the end of a locking handle 63. 'Said button isnormally spring pressed inwards by a spring 64;, and serves to lock thetubular sections 54 and 55 in adesired position depending upon theselected perforation 61. A milled handle 65. on the pin 63 serves tofacilitate the retraction of the button 62.-

It will be evident that without special precaution orprotection, dirtand other foreign matter might gain access to the interior portions ofthe end sections by way of the perforations 61. This is prevented,however,;by a dust guard or shield 66 which extends lengthwise of theinner tubular section 54. and covers over the various perforations 61 in.a manner which will be readily evident from an examination of Figs. 5and 7. v Ordinarily these dust guards may bemadeof thinsheet metal andriveted or pressed in place.

I will now. explainin detail the construe-- tion the shaft 52 extends tothe interior of the adjacent corner section. One of these shafts extendsinto the control head, being the shaft shown in Figs. Sand 9. It wasalso explained that the shafts 56 and 57 extend to the interiors oftheir respective corner The end. portion of the shaft 57 is illustratedin Fig. 9. These shafts 52 and :57 lie at right angles to each other,and the shaft 57 preferablyextends clear across the operating head,finding a bearing 67- in foreign matter cannot gain out from one of thetwo corner sections.

when the specified of the operating head and the mode of. itsoperation." This operating head or sec-- tion is shown the side ofv theoperating head where it enters adeadbearing 68 at the opposite. side,

of the operating head.

The shaft 52on the contrary stops short;

of the shaft 57 and finds bearing at the point 69 where it enters the.operating head.-

Each of the bearings 67 and 69 includes a pair of separated bearing.members with an intermediate dust or dirt-proof; section 70 of leatheror other suitablelmaterial. A spring clip 70 surrounds the: leather orother material 70 and against the shaft. The arrangement is such oil andother lubricant. v

To. the inner end of the shaft 52 is secured a bevel gear 71 -whichsimultaneously onclamps the same 1 as to very efi'ectually seclude theentrance I of dust and dirt and to prevent the exit of I gages bevelgears 72 and 73 on the shaft 57'. Q

The bevel pinion =7 3 is keyed or otherwise se-.

cured to the shaft 57, whereas the bevel,

pinion 72 is freeto rotat on said shaft and is preferably provided witha considerable length so as to establish an effectual hearing, as shownin Fig. 9. The bevel gear and pinion 71 and 73 lock the, two shafts 52and 57 together and the bevel pinion 72 rotates in harmony withv bothshafts;

Surrounding the bevel pinion 72 is a worm gear 74 preferably formed on aflange which extends outwardly from a hub portion 75, which hub bevelpinion 72 or its hub.

Adjacentto the, worm gear 74 is an upstanding worm shaft 76 whose wormengages the worm gear 74L The lower endf77 of said wornrshaft 76operatesin astep bearing 78. This step bearing includes an outwardlyflared-collar 79 resting on. the balls 80 which travel in the raceway81. The upper end of the worm shaft 76 finds portion is secured to the abearing in a spider 82 which sets down against a shoulder 83 in theupper portion of the casing 84, as clearly shown in Fig.

10. Ordinarily this worm shaft will be extended on. up through thespider 82 and through a bearing in the cap 85 of the shaft of theoperating head, and will terminate in a a squared or angular upper end86, as clearly shown in Figs. 8 and 10. A winding. key

or other tool may be set onto said squared head 86 for thepurposeofrewinding the tapes back, ontothe side rails '19 and 20 afterthe burial operation has been completed; A leather washer or the like 87may be placed around the upper portion of the worm shaft 76, said washerbeing forced up, against the bottom surface of the cap 85 by a spring 88so as to entrance of dust or other foreign matter.

The shaft 76 carries a spiral gear 89 which is preferably located justbelow the position offthe spider 82. This spiral gear is adapted to meshwith a effectually exclude the spiral pinion 9O will now explain indetail. This centrifugal governor device is best illustrated in Figs.10, 11, 12, and 13. The spiral pinion 90 is secured to the upper end ofa shaft 91.

.The lower end of this shaft rests in a step bearing 92 having a' ball93, and the upper end of the shaft, or the spiral pinion 90 itself, isprovided with a socket or recess in whichis ball 94.

Anipple 95 is threaded through the spider 82, and has its lower endentered into the socket aforesaid and in engagementwiththe ball 9 f. Thenipple 95- I may be threaded up and down in the-spider 82 until an exactadjustment is secured whereupon it may be locked in position by I thelock nut 96. V On the shaft 91 is slidably mounted a disk 7 97' and apair of plates 98 aresecured to V trifugal .weights100 and 101 arepivoted depending lugs 10 l,'well shown in Fig. 10,

the shaft by the pinv99 so that they are compelled to rotate with theshaft. Only one of these plates appear in Fig. 11. The cento the endportions of the plates 98 by the pivots 102 and 103.

The under face of the plate 97 is provided onweach; side with apair ofdownwardly and the corners of theplates 105 and 106 which are pivoted tothe points 102 and 108 engageithe under face of tween said lugs. In thismanner the plate 97 is compelled to rotate with the shaft 91',

and as the centrifugal weights 100 and 101 fly outwardly-theplate 97 israised by equal pressure on both of its sides. H

A spring 107 is provided for retaining the plate 97 depressedd0wnwardly.- Above the plate 97 is a stationary plate 108 which has theupwardly extending pins 109 and 110 at two diametrically opposed points.These plate 108 may be composed of composition material such asraybestos or the like, which will develop the desired amount of frictionwhile resisting heat and wear. 7 By the use of such material, themachine may be made to operate very accurately and maintain theexactdesired speed of rotation within wide rangesof casket weight.

lVith the construction so far described, the casket would immediatelybegin to descendas soon as its weight was sufliciently impressed uponthe straps 23 and 241. I

adjusted position by the In this way the idle clearhave,however,provided a lockingdevice which will serve to absolutely lock themachine until everything is in readiness for the descent/of thecasket,'which locking device can be very easily controlled by the shownin Fig. 10 is provided on the inner end of a stub shaft'whieh extendsthrough attendant. 'For this purpose, a finger 114;

the head 84, the outer end of said stub shaft 0 having a handle 115 bywhich it may be rocked, said handle being clearly shown in Fig. 8. Adust washer or the like 116 serves torprevent the entrance ofany dust orfor- Y eign matter'into the operating head.

The finger 114- has on its end a hook which when siuficiently lowered isadapted to engage'either of the studs 117 and 118 which projectoutwardly fromthe periphery of the disk 97. The hook works from above,and I have,therefore, provided on the upperface of each of the studs 11?and 118 a tapered or beveled surface,as clearly shown in Fig. 13. sothat if'perchance one of the studs should be directly beneath the hookwhen the hook is to be loweredit would move the stop and the plate 97 aslight distance one way or theother in order to permit the hook to becompletely lowered into the locking position.

I have provided a 7 spring bination with a pair of longitudinally extending sidera ils and'a pair of end members at right angles thereto.the end portions of the side rails and of the 'endmemherscoming'together at the corners of the casket lowering device, andsuitable cross straps having their end portions connected to oppositepoints of the side rails and adapted-to wind on said side rails, of acorner head at each cornerof'the' device.

119 in conjunc-J- 'tionwith this hoole said hookbeing so formed, asshown 1nF1gx10, that it'will rejournals for the side rails and endmembers j in said-- heads, suitable v gearingwlthin ,one

of the corner heads joining together the ends of the side rail andend'member which are j ournaled therein, and a control head at anothercorner of the casket lowering device, said control head including athrough bearing for the end member. a dead bearing opposite tosaidthrough bearing, a shoulderedbeveled pinion: secured to the endmember adjacent to said dead bearing, 'a worm gear mounted on theshoulder'of said pinion, another beveled pinion rotatably" mounted onthe end member adjacent to the angles to the endmember for the accommo,dation ofthe end port on of the side rail, a

beveled gear secured to the inner end of the side rail adjacent to saidthrough bearing and meshing with both of the beveled gears aforesaid, aspider in the upper portion of the control. head, a vertical worm shaftmeshing with the worm gear aforesaid, a step bearing for thelower end ofthe Worm shaft, a through bearing in the spider for the worm shaft, aremovable cover for the control head, a through bearing therein for theworm shaft permitting rotation of the worm shaft from the outside of thecontrol head, a dust washer on the upper end of the worm-shaft adjacentto the under face of the cover plate, a spr ng malntainlng said washerin contact with said under face,

a gear on the worm shaft immediately beneat-h the spider, averticalgovernor shaft, a step bearing for the lower end thereof, abearing recess in theupper end of the governor shaft, a 'ball therein, abearing stud threadedthrough the spider and having in its lower end asocket for engage? ment with said ball, means for locking said stud withrespect to thelspider, a friction plate locatedibeneath the spider andsur rounding thegovernor shaft and having a lower friction surface, apair of upstanding studs on said friction plate extending through thespider, means for adjusting said studs vertically with respect to thespider, means for lockingboth of the studs with respect to the spider, ahorizontal plate axially movable with respect to the governor shaftwhile rotatable therewith, a pair of centrifugal 'members, pivotallymounted with respect to the governor shaft and rotatable therewith,lever connections from said centrifugal members to the plate aforesaidtending to raise said platewhen said members are oentrifug'allyprojected, a spring on the governor plate normally clepressing saidplate away from the friction plate aforesaid, a pair of outstandingperipheral stops on the movable plate, and a hook movably mounted inthecontrol head in in position'to engage saidstops for the purpose ofarrestingthe rotation of the gov;

'ernor shaft, substantially as described.

2. In a casket lowering device, the combination with a pair oflongitudinally ex tending side rails andapair of endmembers at rightangles thereto, the. end portions of the "side rails and of the endmembers coming together at the corners of the casket lowering device,and suitable cross straps havingtheir. end portions connected to op:

posite pointsof the side rails and adaptedv towindonsaid side rails, ofa corner head at each corner ofthe devlce, ournalsfor the-side r'ailsand end members in said;

heads, suitable gearing within oneofi the corner heads joining togetherthe ends of the siderail and end member which are journaled therein,and; a, control head at another corner ofthe casket lowering de vice,said control head including a through bearing for the end member, a deadbearing opposite to said through bearing, a beveled PIIHOILSGCHIGd tothe end member, ad-

jacent to said dead bearing,a worm gear secured to said p nion, anotherbeveled pinion rotatably mounted on the end member adjacent to thethrough bearing, a through f bearing atright angles to the end memberfor the accommodation of theend portion of the side rail, a beveled gearsecured to the inner end of theside rail adjacent to said throughbearing of the beveled gears aforesaid, a spider in the upper portion ofthe control head, a vertical worm shaft 'meshing With the worm gearaforesaid, a step hearing for the lower end of the worm shaft, a throughbearing in the spider for the worm shaft,'fa removable'cover for thecontrol head, through bearing therein for. the worm shaft permittingrotation of the worm shaft and" meshing with both from; the outside; ofthe COIltIOLhBZLd, a gear the spider, means for locking both of thestuds-with respect to the spider, a horizon-V tal governor shaft whilerotatable therewith, a pair of centrifugal members pivotally mountedwith respect to the governor shaft and rotatable therewith, leverconnections from said centrifugalmembers to the plate aforesaid tendingto raise said plate when said-members are centrifugally projected, aspring on the governor plate normally de pressing said plate away. fromthe friction plate aforesaid, a pair of outstanding peripheral stepsonthe movable plate, and a hook movably mounted in the control head inposition to engage said stops for the purplate axially movable withrespect to the pose, of arresting the, rotation ofthe governor shaft,substantially as described. 3. In aucasket 'loweringdevice, the combnationwith a pair of longitudi'nallyextend ingside rails and a pair ofend members at right anglesthereto, the end portions of the side railsand of the end members coming together at thecorners of the casketlower; ing device, and.suitablecrossstraps having their 'end portionsconnected to to opposite points of theside rails'and adapted torwind onsaid, side rails, of acornen head at each corner of the, device,journals; for theside the spider,

' tending side rails and a the casket lowering device,

rails and end members in said'heads, suitable gearing within one of thecorner heads joining together the ends of the side rall'and end memberwhich are journaled therein, and

a control head at another corher'of theicasket lowering device, saidcontrol head including a through bearing for the-end member, a deadbearing opposite to said throughbearmg,

a beveled pinion secured to the end member adjacent to said deadbearing, a wormgear secured to said pinion, a through bearing at rightangles to the end member for the accommodation of the end portion oftheside rail, a beveled gear secured to the inner end of the side rail adjacent to said through bearing and meshing with the beveled gearaforesaid, a spider in'the upper portion of the control head,.a verticalworm shaft meshing with the worm gear aforesaid, a through bearing inthe spider for the worm shaft, a gear onthe worm shaft immediatelybeneath a vertical governor shaft, a friction' plate located beneath thespider and surrounding the governor shaft and having a lower frictionsurface,-a pair of upstanding studs on said friction plate extendingthrough the spider, means for adjusting said studsi vertically withrespect to the spider, means forlocking bothof the studs with respect tothe spider, a horizontal plate axially movable with respect to the governor shaft while rotatable therewith, a pair of centrifugal memberspivotally mounted with respectto the governor shaft and rotatabletherewith, lever connections from said centrifugal'members to the plateaforesaid tending to raise said plate when said members are'centrifugally projected, a

spring on the-governor plate normally depressing said plate away fromthefriction plate aforesaid, a pair of outstanding peripheral stops on themovable plate, and a hook movably mounted in the control head inposition to engage said stops for the purpose of arresting the rotationof the governor shaft, substantially as described.

4:. In a casket lowering device, the combination with a pair oflongitudinally expair of end members at right angles thereto, the endportions of the side rails and of the end members coming together at thecorners of the j'caket lowering device, andsuitable cross straps havingtheir end portions connected to opposite points of the side railsandadapted to wind on said side rails, of}a control head at onecorner ofsaid control head including a through bearing for the end member, adead, bearing opposite 'to said through bearing,'abeveled pinion securedto the end member adjacent to said dead bearing, apworm gear secured tosaid pinion, a through hearing at right angles to the end member forthe-accommodation of'the end portion of the side rail, a beveled gearsecured to they inner end of the side railadjacent' to said throughbearingand meshing with the beveled gear aforesaid, a spider ing thegovernor shaft and having a lower 7 friction surface, a pair ofupstanding studs on said friction plate extending through the spider,means for adjusting said studs vertically with respect to the spider,means for locking both of the studs with respect to the spider, ahorizontal plate axially movable with respect to the governor shaftwhile rotatable therewith, a centrifugal member pivotally mounted withrespectto the governOr shaft and rotatable therewith, leverconnectionsfrom said centrifugal member to the plate aforesaid tendingto raise said plate when saidmember is centrifugally projected, a springon the governor plate normally depressing said plate away from thefriction plate aforesaid, an outstanding pepose of arresting therotation of the gover-' nor shaft, substantially as described.

5. In a casket lowering device, the combinatlon with a pair oflongitudinally extending side rails and a pair of end mem bers at rightangles thereto,-the end portions of the side rails and of the endmembers comingtogether at the corners of the casket lowering device, andsuitable cross straps having their end portions connected to oppositepoints of theside rails and adapted to wind on said side rails, of acontrol head at one corner of the casket lowering device, said controlhead including oppositely disposed bearings for the end memher, abearing at right angles theretoforthe side rail, a beveled pinionsecured to the end member between the bearings thereof, a worm gear inconjunction with said pinion, a beveled gear secured to the inner end ofthe side rail and meshing with the beveled gear aforesaid, a verticalworm shaft mesh with'the worm gear aforesaid, a gear on the worm shaft,a vertical governor shaft, a gear thereon meshing with the worm shaftgear, a fixed member in the upper portion of the control head, afriction plate beneath said member and surrounding the governorshaft,and having a lower friction surface, a pair of oppositely disposedupstanding studs on the friction plate engaging the fixed member, meansfor adjusting said studs'vertically with respect to said member, a hori:

zontal plate axially movable with respect with, a centrifugal memberpivotally mounted with respect to the governor shaft and rotatabletherewith, lever-connections from said centrifugal member to the plateaforesaid tending to raise said plate when said member is centrifugallyprojected, a spring on the governor plate normally depressing said plateaway from the friction plate aforesaid, an "outstanding peripheral stopon the movable plate, and a hook movably mounted in the control head inposition to engage said stop for the purpose of arresting the rotationof the governor shaft, substantially as described.

6. In a casket lowering device, a control head including oppositelydisposed bearings for. an end member shaft, a bearing at right anglesthereto for a siderail shaft, a beveled pinion secured to the end.member shaft between the bearings thereof, a worm gear in conjunctionwith said pinion, a beveled gear secured to the inner end of the siderail shaft and meshing with the beveled gear aforesaid, a vertical wormshaft meshing with the worm gear aforesaid, a gear on the worm shaft, avertical governor shaft, a gear thereon meshing with the worm shaftgear, a fixed member in the upper portion of the control head,a frictionplate beneath said member shaft, and having a lower friction surface, apair of oppositely disposed upstanding studs on the friction plateengaging the fixed member, means for adjusting said studs verticallywith respect to said member, a horizontal plate axially movable withrespect to the governor shaft while rotatable therewith, a centrifugalmember pivotally mounted with respect to the governor shaft androtatable therewith, lever connections from said centrifugal member tothe plate aforesaid tending to raise said plate when said inember iscentrifugally projected, a spring onthe governor plate normallydepressing said plate away from the said, an outstanding peripheral stopon the movable plate, and a hook movably mounted in the control head inposition to engage said stop for the purpose of arresting therotation'of the governor shaft, substantially as described.

7 In a casket lowering device, a control head including oppositelydisposed bearings for an end member shaft, a bearing at right andsurrounding the governor v friction plate aforeangles thereto for a siderail shaft, a beveled pinion securedto the end member shaft between thebearings thereof, a worm gear in conjunction with said'pinion, a beveledgear secured to the inner end of the side rail shaft and meshing withthe beveled gear aforesaid, a vertical worm shaft meshing with the wormgear aforesaid, a gear on the worm shaft, a vertical governor shaft, agear thereon meshing with the worm shaft gear, a fixed member in theupper portion of the control head, a friction plate beneath said memberand surrounding the governor shaft, and having a lower friction surface,

a pair of oppositely disposed upstanding studs on. the friction plateengaging the fixed member, means for adjusting said studs verticallywith respect to said member, a horizontal plate axially movable withrespect to the governor shaft while rotatable there-- with, acentrifugal member pivotally mounted with respect to the governor shaftand rotatable therewith, from said centrifugal member to the plateaforesaid tending to raise said plate when said member is centrifugallyprojected, substantially as described. I

8. In a casket lowering device, an adjust able end member comprismg 1ncombination a pair of telescoping tubular members, there being a seriesof perforations in one of said tubular members, a spring-pressed studcarried by the other tubular member in position to engage a selected oneof said perforations, and a protecting sheet secured to the interior ofthe perforated tubular memher, said protection sheet lying over andcovering the inner ends of the perforations for the exclusion of foreignmatter from the interior of said tubular member, substantially asdescribed.

9. In a casket lowering device, an adjustable end membercomprising incombination a pair of telescopin tubular members, there being a seriesof perforations in the innermost tubular member, a locking stud inconjunction with the outermost tubular member adapted to project into aselected one of said perforations, and a guard sheet secured to andcovering over the inner ends ofsaid perforations, substantially asdescribed.

WALTER MAECHLERr and lever connections,

